Disposable article



July 2, 1940. s. LEVY DISPOSABLE ARTICLE Filed April 28, 1938 Patented July 2, 1940 DISPOSABLE ARTICLE Samuel Levy, l 3rooklyn, N. Y. Application April 28, 1938, Serial No. 204,894

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a disposable article in the nature of a sanitary protective device for use primarily by prospective purchasers of bathing suits and like apparel which may come in direct a contact with or close proximity to certain parts or organs of the body of a customer or prospective purchaser.

In department stores and like commercial establishments prospective purchasers of bathing suits ofttimes desire to try on one or more suits before definitely purchasing a particular model or type, and in fact to ensure satisfaction and avoid subsequent return or complaint-it is desirable that an actual try out or fit be made at the store. Such procedure, however, brings up a problem of sanitation, since it may result in contamination of the suit itself or the person trying on the suit, and in fact the knowledge that such danger is present ofttimes acts as a deterrent to pigspeetivepurchasers.

, 'The primary object of the present invention,

therefore, is to provide an effective and highly sanitary article or protective device for use in trying on wearing apparel, and particularly bathing suits.

To provide a practical protective means for both the suit and the purchaser also presents certain problems. The device must be capable of easy and quick application and comfortable and snug fitting when applied, it must be of sufiicient strength to withstand the stresses incident to pulling on and oil a relatively tight bathing suit, and it should be constructed of a material and of such low cost of manufacture as to render it disposable to avoid laundering and re-use and ensure maximum sanitation.

A further object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a device of this character which will meet the foregoing and otherrequirements incident to rendering the device practical and satisfactory in carrying out its intended function.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be rendered apparent in view of the following description taken inconjunction with the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a disposable article or protective device embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the device in applied position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification in structure;

55 Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the end portion of Fig. 4, particularly showing the method'of app ying the tying member or string;

Fig. 6 is a view in section taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a different method of applying the tying member; Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88, Fig. 7; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are plan views of protective 10 devices illustrating further modifications in structure and design.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and first to Figs. 1 and 2, the device consists of a sheet of flexible disposable material, such as fibrous tissue, ll of sufficient strength to withstand the stresses to which it may be subjected, the material preferably being of an absorbent character and relatively soft so as to be non-irritating and comfortable when applied. The article propermay be cut or stamped from a sheet or pileof sheets of material of the character specified, and in Fig. 1 it is shown as being formed with front and rear apron portions 5 and 5a and an intermediate crotch covering portion 6, the latter portion hav- .ing inwardly tapering sides 1, la. Each end of -thedevice or article is provided with an attaching tape or string 8 which in Fig. l is shown applied simply by looping or doubling back the end of the apron, as at 9, and stitching, gluing or otherwise securing the tape or string thereto.

Fig 3 shows the device in applied position, the crotch portion fitting snugly in the crotch of the individual or the person trying on the bathing I suit or other article of apparel with the apron portions 5 and 5a fitting against the front and rear of the trunk and secured in place by tying the strings or tapes 8.

Actual experience has demonstrated that a protective device constructed as shown may be 40 easily and quickly applied and will readily withstand the stresses of pulling on or off a relatively tight bathing suit. Since the device is made of disposable material, such as relatively strong fibrous tissue, and may be made at unusually low cost, each article or device afteruse is thrown away or disposed of similar to the conventional disposable face tissues, handkerchiefs and the like. While the entire article or device is preier-, ably comprised of disposable material, it will be obvious that it could be made in part only of disposable material or tissue, if desired.

The use of a protective device of this character not only insures sanitation but also attracts cus- 5:

tomers and lends an added dignity to an establishment adopting the same.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the device is contoured generally similar to that shown in Fig. l, the apron portions being designated at lib and 5c and the crotch portion at Go. In this instance, however, the device is made in two parts and joined by a seam ID at the crotch portion. It is also made of double thickness of material, note Fig. 6, the under sheet being indicated at II. A further difierence in this instance resides in the type and method of applying the tying tape or string 8a,

the latter being applied by means of a piece of adhesive, such as Scotch tape, indicated at II, the tape being applied over the opposite ends of the device and secured against the body portion thereof, forming a loop or fold for string 8.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a further modification wherein the tying member or string 81) is applied by means of a piece of adhesive II, which may be similar to the material I2, which is applied directly against the face of the end of the apron portion of the device, providing a retaining memher for the string 8b. In this instance, also the device may be formed of two thicknesses of niaterial Fig. 9 shows the device made up as an integral unit. In this instance the apron portions are indicated at 6d and 5e and the crotch portion at 8b. It will be noted that the apron portions merge into the crotch portion through a curved line as indicated at it of more generally rounded contours than in the preceding figures. A tying member or string 80 is made integral with the apron portions 511 and 5e, and when the device is applied, may be secured by means of an ad-;

hesive applied to one end of the string or tape as indicated at II. The device in this form is.-

Fig. 10 shows the device made up oi a body portion or backing I! of permanent or washable. material, such as cloth, rubber or the like having a removable crotch pad ll of disposable material. In this instance, the tying-on string or tape is sewed over the edge of the apron portion, as indicated at M.

Various shapes conducive to comfort, neatness and ease in application and removal may-be adopted other than those specifically shown herein within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim. However, the shape illustrated has been found to be eminently satisfactory in producing the desired results. While the device is primarily adapted for use as specified, it is obviously capable of use as a sanitary article or undergarment.

I claim:

A sanitary protective article for use in trying on bathing suits and like apparel comprising a strip-like body of absorbent easily dissolvable material intended to be used but once, the article having a shape to cover the front, rear and crotch portions of a human body with the sides of the body exposed, the crotch portion being narrower than the remaining portion of the article and having a stitched seam reinforcement extending from side to side of said crotch portion at substantially its narrowest portion, and means for fastening the device in position on the body of the wearer.

- SAMUEL LEVY. 

